Trump Withdraws U.S. from UNESCO Again

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the second time during his presidency, citing the agency's "anti-Israel bias" and support for what the White House characterized as "woke, divisive cultural and social causes." The withdrawal, effective December 31, 2026, marks the third time in four decades that the United States has exited the Paris-based organization, underscoring the volatile relationship between U.S. foreign policy and international multilateral institutions.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced the decision in an official statement, declaring that "continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States". The move represents a significant reversal of the Biden administration's 2023 decision to rejoin the organization after Trump's initial withdrawal in 2017.

White House Justifies Exit

The Trump administration framed its departure from UNESCO as part of a broader effort to realign American foreign policy with domestic priorities. White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly issued a pointed statement explaining the rationale behind the decision.

"President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO — which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November," Kelly said, according to CNN.

The State Department elaborated on these concerns, with spokesperson Bruce arguing that UNESCO "works to advance divisive social and cultural causes and maintains an outsized focus on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy".

Central to the administration's criticism was UNESCO's 2011 decision to admit Palestine as a full member state, which Bruce described as "highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization".

Israel Applauds Decision as UNESCO Chief Expresses 'Deep Regret'

The withdrawal drew immediate reactions from key international stakeholders, highlighting the polarized views surrounding America's relati’ relationship with multilateral institutions.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed the U.S. decision, calling it "a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel's right for fair treatment in the UN system," while thanking the United States for its "moral support and leadership," according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

In stark contrast, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed profound disappointment with Trump's decision, though she acknowledged it was anticipated.

"I deeply regret President Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO," Azoulay stated in an official response published by UNESCO. "However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it."

Azoulay challenged the administration's justifications, arguing that "the reasons put forward by the United States to withdraw from the organization are the same as seven years ago, even though the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism".

A Pattern of Exits and Returns

The latest withdrawal represents the culmination of decades of contentious U.S.-UNESCO relations marked by repeated departures and reconciliations. This complex history provides crucial context for understanding the significance of Trump's decision.

The United States was a founding member of UNESCO in 1945, participating in the organization's mission to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. However, the relationship soured during the Reagan administration, leading to America's first withdrawal in 1984 due to concerns over financial mismanagement and perceived anti-American bias.

After nearly two decades outside the organization, the United States rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush, who acknowledged that UNESCO had implemented significant reforms. This reconciliation lasted until 2011, when the Obama administration suspended funding following UNESCO's decision to grant Palestine full membership, as required by U.S. legislation prohibiting funding to UN agencies that recognize Palestine.

Trump completed the first withdrawal cycle during his initial presidency in 2017, only to see President Biden reverse course and rejoin the organization in 2023. The current decision marks Trump's second exit from UNESCO, establishing a pattern that reflects broader shifts in American foreign policy approaches between administrations.

Financial Impact

The financial implications of America's relationship with UNESCO have evolved significantly over the decades, reducing the immediate impact of the current withdrawal while still representing a meaningful loss for the organization.

According to UNESCO officials, U.S. contributions now represent approximately 8% of the organization's total budget, a substantial decline from the roughly 20% contribution when Trump first withdrew the country during his initial term. This reduction reflects both UNESCO's successful diversification of funding sources and the extended period of reduced American financial participation.

Director-General Azoulay noted that following Trump's 2017 withdrawal, "the organization diversified its funding sources," helping to insulate UNESCO from the impact of American policy reversals. Despite this financial adaptation, the complete withdrawal still represents a significant loss of resources for the organization's global programs in education, science, and cultural preservation.

The Financial Express reported that when the U.S. initially suspended funding in 2011, UNESCO "had to scale back programmes and lost nearly a fifth of its budget," demonstrating the substantial impact of American financial participation on the organization's operations.

What UNESCO Actually Does

UNESCO's mission extends far beyond the political controversies that dominate headlines about American participation. The organization plays a pivotal role in global cultural preservation, educational development, and scientific collaboration, impacting millions worldwide.

The agency is perhaps best known for its World Heritage Site program, which has designated more than 1,200 locations of outstanding cultural or natural importance since 1972. These sites include iconic American locations, such as the Grand Canyon, as well as internationally significant areas like the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria and the Treasury building in Petra, Jordan.

Beyond cultural preservation, UNESCO maintains extensive educational initiatives aimed at promoting literacy, gender equality, access to clean water, and comprehensive sex education worldwide. The organization also develops international standards and guidelines on emerging issues, including the ethics of artificial intelligence and ocean conservation.

UNESCO's "Intangible Cultural Heritage" list recognizes cultural practices and traditions, including entries such as French baguette-making and Italian opera singing, helping to preserve cultural diversity in an increasingly globalized world.

Implications for American Scientists and Educators

The withdrawal carries practical consequences for American professionals working in UNESCO's areas of focus, potentially disrupting collaborative relationships and limiting access to international research networks.

According to multiple sources, while U.S. World Heritage Sites will retain their designations, "federal support for collaborative programmes with UNESCO may cease, potentially impacting American scientists, educators, and cultural heritage professionals involved in these initiatives".

Director-General Azoulay specifically noted that the withdrawal "may affect American communities seeking site inscription on the organization's World Heritage List, 'Creative City' status, and university partner teams". These impacts extend beyond symbolic recognition to include practical research collaborations and educational exchanges that benefit American institutions.

UNESCO in Context

The UNESCO withdrawal represents part of a comprehensive strategy by the Trump administration to reduce American participation in international organizations deemed incompatible with "America First" foreign policy principles.

Axios reported that UNESCO represents "the third UN agency the Trump administration is withdrawing from following decisions earlier this year to leave the World Health Organization and the Human Rights Council". This pattern reflects Trump's broader skepticism toward multilateral institutions, which he demonstrated during his first term by withdrawing from various international agreements, including the Paris Climate Accord.

The systematic nature of these withdrawals raises questions about America's future role in global governance institutions and the potential for other nations, particularly China, to fill leadership voids left by reduced American participation.

"The move further decreases U.S. footprint and influence in international organizations, and experts say the nation's exit will allow China to increase its influence on the UN system," Axios reported.

A Predictable Yet Consequential Decision

The Trump administration's withdrawal from UNESCO, while anticipated by international observers, represents more than a simple policy reversal. It reflects fundamental disagreements about America's role in global institutions and the value of multilateral cooperation in addressing shared challenges.

The decision's effectiveness on December 31, 2026, provides a lengthy transition period that could potentially allow for future policy changes, depending on electoral outcomes and evolving international circumstances. However, the repeated cycle of American withdrawals and returns has damaged the predictability and reliability of U.S. participation in UNESCO's mission.

As Director-General Azoulay noted, this latest withdrawal occurs despite significant changes in the organization and international context since Trump's first departure. The persistence of American objections suggests deep-seated philosophical differences about international cooperation that extend beyond specific policy disputes to fundamental questions about sovereignty, national interest, and global governance in the 21st century.